Northern Ireland

Man facing child sexual offences was allegedly discovered naked in Belfast hotel room with 14-year-old girl, court told

Laganside Court in Belfast
Laganside Court in Belfast Laganside Court in Belfast

A MAN accused of child sexual offences was allegedly discovered naked in a Belfast hotel room with a 14-year-old girl, a court heard yesterday.

Sean Kavanagh (22) was arrested after what was described as a "chance encounter" in the city centre on Sunday.

The defendant, of no fixed abode but from Dundalk in Co Louth, appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court to face a total of four charges.

He denies sexual assault and common assault against one girl, as well as sexually touching and inciting another teenage girl to engage in sexual activity.

Police said Kavanagh had allegedly encountered the pair and then sought directions.

It was claimed that he asked for a kiss and wanted to take one of them to a hotel.

A detective contended that when police entered the hotel room "the suspect was without clothes".

She also claimed: "The 14-year-old girl was in that room."

Opposing bail, the detective disclosed that the other girl is aged 15.

Asked if either of them knew the accused, she replied: "They had just met each other in the city centre."

Kavanagh's solicitor insisted: "He completely and utterly denies the alleged offences."

Kavanagh's father pledged that if released from custody he would keep his son "on the straight and narrow".

Granting bail on tight conditions, Deputy District Judge Anne Marshall stressed Kavanagh was only getting one chance.

Kavanagh will appear in court again in four weeks' time.